Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 4471 Posts
The Southern Railway, Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur, Chennai has released Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 under Notification No. 01/2026 for 4,471 Apprentice vacancies in various designated trades.
The vacancies include 163 Freshers and 4,308 Ex-ITI candidates. Eligible candidates can apply online through the Southern Railway Apprentice recruitment portal. The last date to submit the application is 27 September 2026.
For the Fresher category, candidates generally require 10th Class with at least 50% marks for trades such as Fitter, Painter and Welder, while candidates applying for MLT trades need 12th Class with at least 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Biology. For the Ex-ITI category, candidates need 10th Class with at least 50% marks along with an ITI certificate in the relevant trade from a recognized institution with NCVT/SCVT certification.
This recruitment is for apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act, 1961, and does not constitute regular employment in Southern Railway.
Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Southern Railway, Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur, Chennai |
| Notification No. | 01/2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 4,471 |
| Fresher Vacancies | 163 |
| Ex-ITI Vacancies | 4,308 |
| Post | Act Apprentice |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Job Location | Southern Railway jurisdiction |
| Application Start Date | 28/08/2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 27/09/2026 |
| Application Fee | ₹100 for applicable candidates |
| Official Website | https://www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in/ |
Vacancy Details
The recruitment is for 4,471 Act Apprentice positions under different trades and establishments of Southern Railway.
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Fresher Category | 163 |
| Ex-ITI Category | 4,308 |
| Total | 4,471 |
The vacancies are distributed among eligible trades and railway establishments according to the official notification.
Educational Qualification
Fresher Category
Candidates applying under the Fresher category must satisfy the educational requirements prescribed for the relevant trade.
For Fitter, Painter and Welder trades:
Passed 10th Class/Matriculation.
Minimum 50% aggregate marks.
For Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) trades:
Passed 12th Class.
Minimum 50% aggregate marks.
Must have studied Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
Ex-ITI Category
Candidates applying under the Ex-ITI category must have:
Passed 10th Class with at least 50% aggregate marks.
ITI certificate in the relevant trade.
ITI qualification must be from a Government-recognized institution.
NCVT/SCVT certification is required as prescribed for the trade.
Candidates should verify the exact trade-wise educational requirements in the official notification before applying.
Age Limit
The age requirement varies according to the category and trade.
The supplied recruitment details specify:
Ex-ITI: Generally 15–22 years
Fresher/MLT categories: Different upper age limits may apply as prescribed in the notification.
Age relaxation is available according to applicable rules.
Age Relaxation
SC/ST: 5 years
OBC (NCL): 3 years
PwBD – UR/EWS: 10 years
PwBD – OBC: 13 years
PwBD – SC/ST: 15 years
Candidates should check the official notification for the exact age calculation date and category-wise conditions.
Geographical Eligibility
Candidates applying for the Southern Railway Apprentice recruitment must ordinarily fall within the prescribed geographical jurisdiction of Southern Railway.
The eligible areas include:
Entire Tamil Nadu
Entire Puducherry
Entire Kerala
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Lakshadweep Islands
SPSR Nellore and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh
Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka
Candidates should ensure that they satisfy the applicable residence/jurisdiction requirement before submitting the application.
Selection Process
There is no written examination or interview for selection to the Apprentice training programme.
Selection will be based on the merit list prepared from qualifying examination and ITI marks, wherever applicable.
Fresher Category
The merit list will be prepared using marks obtained in 10th Class, converted to the prescribed merit score, subject to the minimum qualifying percentage.
In case of a tie:
The older candidate will be preferred.
If the date of birth is also the same, the candidate who passed Matriculation earlier will be preferred.
Ex-ITI Category
The merit score is based on:
Matriculation marks converted to 100 marks
ITI marks converted to 100 marks
Both components carry equal weightage, giving a total of 200 marks.
MLT Category
The merit list for MLT trades will be prepared on the basis of marks obtained in Higher Secondary/12th Class subjects including Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology, converted to the prescribed merit score.
Document Verification
Shortlisted candidates will be called for document verification. Candidates must produce the original documents prescribed by Southern Railway.
These may include:
Transfer Certificate
10th Class certificate and marksheet
12th Class certificate, where applicable
ITI certificate
Caste certificate
OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificate
PwBD certificate
Other required eligibility documents
Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹100 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Women | Nil |
The fee payable by applicable candidates is non-refundable.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | 28/08/2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 27/09/2026 |
| Last Date / Time | 27/09/2026 up to 05:00 PM |
Candidates should complete the application and fee payment well before the closing time.
How to Apply for Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Eligible candidates must apply online through the designated Southern Railway Apprentice recruitment portal.
Visit the official Southern Railway website at https://www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in/
Go to the relevant News & Updates / Personnel Branch section.
Open Act Apprentices Notification No. 01/2026.
Alternatively, access the official online recruitment portal given below.
Register and enter your personal, educational and other required details.
Select the appropriate trade and category.
Upload the required certificates and documents.
Pay the applicable ₹100 processing fee through the prescribed online payment method.
Submit the application before 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.
Download and save the acknowledgement/application copy for document verification.
Documents Required
Candidates should keep the following documents ready:
Recent photograph
Signature
10th Class certificate and marksheet
12th Class certificate and marksheet for applicable trades
ITI certificate and marksheet for Ex-ITI candidates
Transfer Certificate
Aadhaar/valid identity proof
Caste certificate, if applicable
OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificate, if applicable
PwBD certificate, if applicable
Other documents prescribed in the official notification
Apprenticeship Training Period
The training duration depends on the trade.
Fresher Category
Welder: 1 year 3 months
Fitter: 2 years
Painter: 2 years
MLT – Cardiology, Radiology & Pathology: 1 year 3 months
For Ex-ITI candidates, the training duration is reduced according to the applicable provisions of the Apprenticeship Rules and relevant trade schedule.
Stipend
The recruitment information provides apprenticeship training with stipend as prescribed under the applicable railway/apprenticeship rules.
The supplied notification information also indicates that the stipend may increase during subsequent years of training, including:
10% increase during the second year
15% increase during the third year
The exact stipend applicable to a particular trade should be checked in the official notification.
Important Information About Apprenticeship
The positions offered through this notification are for Apprenticeship Training under the Apprentices Act, 1961.
This recruitment:
Does not provide regular employment in Southern Railway.
Does not guarantee employment after completion of apprenticeship.
Ends upon completion of the apprenticeship training period.
Requires selected candidates to make their own accommodation arrangements.
Does not automatically result in appointment to a regular railway post.
However, the notification states that preference may be given to eligible Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAAs) possessing the required National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) in certain future Level-1 direct recruitment, subject to the applicable rules.
Candidates Not Eligible
The recruitment conditions specify that certain candidates are not eligible, including:
Course Completed Act Apprentices covered by the specified exclusion
Engineering Graduates
Diploma Holders
Vocational Certificate holders who have already undergone one year or more of training or employment after obtaining the relevant qualification
Candidates should read the detailed eligibility provisions carefully before applying.
PwBD Reservation
The recruitment provides 4% reservation for eligible Persons with Benchmark Disabilities as prescribed under applicable rules.
Candidates seeking reservation benefits must possess the required disability certification and satisfy the minimum 40% benchmark disability condition where applicable.
Withdrawal from Apprenticeship
Candidates selected for apprenticeship training are generally not permitted to withdraw from training except under circumstances recognized by the applicable rules.
Willful absence or withdrawal in violation of the applicable terms may result in recovery of training-related costs and stipend as prescribed.
Total Vacancies
The vacancy position stated in the recruitment notification is:
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Fresher | 163 |
| Ex-ITI | 4,308 |
| Grand Total | 4,471 |
The number of vacancies is tentative and may be revised according to administrative requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many vacancies are available in Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
There are 4,471 Act Apprentice vacancies, including 163 Fresher and 4,308 Ex-ITI vacancies.
What is the qualification for Ex-ITI candidates?
Candidates must have 10th Class with at least 50% aggregate marks and an ITI certificate in the relevant trade with the prescribed NCVT/SCVT certification.
Is there an examination?
No. There is no written examination or interview. Selection is based on the prescribed merit calculation followed by document verification.
What is the application fee?
The fee is ₹100 for applicable General/OBC/EWS candidates. SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates are exempted.
What is the last date to apply?
The last date is 27 September 2026 up to 5:00 PM.
Is this a permanent railway job?
No. This is apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Completion of apprenticeship does not guarantee regular employment in Indian Railways.
Which areas are eligible?
The prescribed jurisdiction includes Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, SPSR Nellore and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh, and Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, subject to the detailed conditions in the notification.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Download Official Notification | Click Here |
| Official Southern Railway Website | Click Here |
Conclusion
The Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 offers 4,471 Act Apprentice training opportunities across the Fresher and Ex-ITI categories. Candidates with the required 10th/12th qualification and ITI credentials, depending on the trade, can apply online.
Since selection is based on academic and ITI merit rather than a written examination, candidates should ensure that their marks, certificates, trade qualification and other eligibility documents are accurate before applying. The application must be completed by 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM through the official recruitment portal.
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